Source: The Writings of George Washington: pt. I. Official letters relating to the French war, and private letters before the American revolution: March, 1754-May, 1775
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Famous George Washington Quotes
“The time is near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be free men or slaves.”
“Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.”
Source: The Writings of George Washington: pt. V. Speeches and messages to Congress, proclamations, and addresses
“Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.”
Source: Washington's Farewell Address to the People of the United States
Source: Elements of useful knowledge: containing a historical and geographical account of the United States
“The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon.”
Source: The Quotable George Washington: The Wisdom of an American Patriot
Source: The Writings of George Washington: pt. II. Correspondence and miscellaneous papers relating to the American revolution: (v. 3) June, 1775-July, 1776. (v. 4) July, 1776-July] 1777. (v. 5) July, 1777-July, 1778. (v. 6) July, 1778-March, 1780. (v. 7) March, 1780-April, 1781. (v. 8) April, 1781-December, 1783
“Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience.”
“Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains taken to bring it to light.”
Source: The Writings of George Washington: pt. II. Correspondence and miscellaneous papers relating to the American revolution: (v. 3) June, 1775-July, 1776. (v. 4) July, 1776-July] 1777. (v. 5) July, 1777-July, 1778. (v. 6) July, 1778-March, 1780. (v. 7) March, 1780-April, 1781. (v. 8) April, 1781-December, 1783
“Let us raise a standard to which the wise and honest can repair; the rest is in the hands of God.”
“To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace.”
Source: Speeches and messages to Congress, proclamations, and addresses
Source: The Quotable George Washington: The Wisdom of an American Patriot
“Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all.”
Source: Affectionately Yours, George Washington: A Self-portrait in Letters of Friendship
Source: The Quotable George Washington: The Wisdom of an American Patriot
“When we assumed the Soldier, we did not lay aside the Citizen.”
“Mankind, when left to themselves, are unfit for their own government.”
Source: The Life of General Washington: First President of the United States
“Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.”
Source: A circular Letter ... to ... W. Greene, Governor ... of Rhode Island
“It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.”
Source: The Writings of George Washington: pt. IV. Letters official and private, from the beginning of his presidency to the end of his life: (v. 10) May, 1789-November, 1794. (v. 11) November, 1794-December, 1799
Source: The Quotable George Washington: The Wisdom of an American Patriot
“Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.”
Source: The Writings of George Washington: Being His Correspondence, Addresses, Messages, and Other Papers, Official and Private, Selected and Published from the Original Manuscripts
Source: The Writings of George Washington: Being His Correspondence, Addresses, Messages, and Other Papers, Official and Private
“Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.”
Source: The Quotable George Washington: The Wisdom of an American Patriot
Source: The Writings of George Washington: Being His Correspondence, Addresses, Messages, and Other Papers, Official and Private, Selected and Published from the Original Manuscripts; with a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations
“War - An act of violence whose object is to constrain the enemy, to accomplish our will.”
Source: Maxims of Washington: Political, Social, Moral, and Religious
Source: George Washington's Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior: ...And Other Important Writings
Source: Legacies of Washington: being a collection of the most approved writings of the late General Washington, with an appendix containing a sketch of the life of this illustrious patriot, &c. &c. (By J. M. Williams.) [With an engraved portrait.]
“Let your Discourse with Men of Business be Short and Comprehensive.”
Source: Words of Washington
Source: Correspondence and miscellaneous papers relating to the American revolution. June, 1775, to July, 1776 (v. 3); July, 1776, to July, 1777 (v. 4); July, 1777, to July, 1778 (v. 5); July, 1778, to March, 1780 (v. 6); March, 1780, to April, 1781 (v. 7); April, 1781, to December, 1783 (v. 8)
Source: Basic Writings of George Washington
Source: The Writings of George Washington: Being His Correspondence, Addresses, Messages, and Other Papers, Official and Private, Selected and Published from the Original Manuscripts; with a Life of the Author, Notes, and Illustrations
Source: Declaration of Independence ... with the Names, Places of Residence, &c. of the Signers. Constitution of the United States ...: Also, Address of George Washington ... on Declining Being Considered a Candidate for Their Future Suffrages. September 17, 1796
Source: The writings of George Washington from the original manuscript sources, 1745-1799
Source: The Writings of George Washington: pt. V. Speeches and messages to Congress, proclamations, and addresses
Source: The speeches, addresses and messages, of the several presidents of the United States, at the openings of Congress and at their respective inaugurations: Also, the Declaration of independence, the Constitution of the United States, and Washington's farewell address to his fellow-citizens